Questions or Comments: Contact me at dana@danasdevotions.net
I always found it helpful to know a little about who I am reading. I like to get a sense of a person and know where they are coming from. So to that end, you can read a little about the basics of the life I have lived, what I believe, and even some philosophy and political views on this page.
Growing Up: I grew up in a large city on the East Coast. The younger of two siblings, I entertained myself in escapism and the interior life of imagination and the arts. I grew up interested in writing and art, psychology, poetry, comic books and fantasy.
As a family, we attended the Greek Orthodox church on holidays and special occasions. I had a very devout grandmother and a not so devout family life. Truth be told, religion was a big turn off up until my own conversion at 28 years of age.
Testimony: As a child, I would walk along the grapevines looking for bird nests. It was a simple joy to stroll down the row of winding tendrils, some heavy with grapes and the buzzing of bees. I would look under large leaves for the sheltered birds’ nests – hidden but just at my height! Once I found a nest I looked inside to see if there were eggs and if they had been hatched yet. Had the babies grown their feathers and tasted the first freedom of open air beneath their wings?
That is what faith feels like to me. This natural first courageous leap from nest to flight. It happens in so many different ways for different people. For me, and forgive me if you have heard this already, it happened in 2003. I have told the story so many times, the awe of it has worn off. I am sitting here trying to recall how awesome it truly was so that I can impress on you something of the nature and character of God.
I had just turned 28 and I was floundering and rudderless. I was just out of a difficult relationship, living in California alone, in a job I didn’t feel satisfied with, and off work with a broken wrist from my first attempt at snowboarding. Hurt, lonely, uncertain of the future and feeling restless, I decided to get out of the house and go for a hike in the hills near the house I was renting a room in. I was, at this point in my life, an atheist. I did not believe there was a God at all. So, when I say I was restless I was thinking about job changes and what was going to happen in the new, now long distance, relationship I was in – not God.
I hiked up steadily on that warm January day, through switchbacks of dried yellow grass and stone outcrops. Alone with my thoughts and breathing hard after a steep climb, I rested in a grove of trees. I found a rock to sit on in the shade and looked at the beauty of the light filtering through the tree leaves. The light seemed to form small crosses, like a prism of light. “This is probably what Joan of Arc saw when she had her vision”, I thought cynically. No sooner did I think that and WHAM! The presence of God was in that place!
He came suddenly and without my seeking. His presence was unmistakable in it’s reality and nature. It was God. It was love. The air felt thick like moving through water…like moving through love. It was the feeling of being wrapped in love like a blanket…completely enveloped!
I began within my thoughts and Spirit to have a conversation with God! With God!!! It began with some excitement like, “You’re real!” And we just kept talking from there. I don’t remember what it was all about. I remember being shocked at how casual and natural the conversation was. There was not the “Thee and Thous” I thought of as God’s voice, but instead the simple voice of a friend. A friend that deeply loved and cared about me.
After that experience, I learned two important things: God is real and he is love. Amazing, foundational truth that would reset the course of my life. I did not understand much at that point about what was going on in my life. All I knew was that it was supernatural and incredible! The conversation in the hills continued for several months. I would talk with God, seeking to know him more. I would “pray” for understanding, although in my mind it didn’t occur to me to think I was “praying”. I was just talking to my friend, God.
I felt I was being led to Christianity and I remember joking with Him. “Really God? Christianity?” (I didn’t think much of Christians I saw on the news) ”O-k” I drawled out skeptically. ”You’re God.” I smirked inwardly, but I went online to find a church to attend on a Sunday.
I grew up Greek Orthodox and there was a lot in my childhood exposure to religion that left me…bitter. So I searched for churches using google. I had no idea what I was looking for. The search engine suggested different denominations to narrow it down: Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptists…and non-denominational. Well, that sounded right to me since I had no idea what the denominations meant. I ended up finding Westgate Church on the other side of town. On my first or second visit, I was given a bible. I went home and read it and believed it. I leaped out of the nest!
Family and Career: It was at Westgate Church that I would meet my husband. We fell in love quickly and forever. I had been searching for a career in my early 20’s. I was trained in art and graphic design, but I discovered I did not enjoy the work. I did retail, and then reception work when I came to California, while I was looking into career options. After my conversion and marriage, I made the change to working in Special Education as an aide. However it wasn’t long until I had my own baby to look after.
As a new mother, I struggled to find my way. I was totally in love and totally inexperienced. Eventually I found my bearings and began a path of homeschooling my oldest son. We homeschooled through 4th grade, when my myeloma hit. I had at the time two boys ages 9 and 3. The following year, both boys were transitioned into public school and preschool. They did great!
I spent just over a year with treatment and recovery – surgery, radiation, chemo, and stem cell transplant. After the tumor was removed from my spine, I was also paralyzed and had to learn to walk again. Recovery was my work. So, when I began to experience my remission, I knew I couldn’t homeschool again because my health was tenuous. What was I going to do with my time in this new season?
God led me to starting women’s events at my church. I was so blessed in my recovery year by my church community, I wanted to give back. I also had experienced how important community and relationships are, and wanted to foster that in our church. We had social events, teaching, bible studies and so much laughter. I was blessed to have experienced leading women’s ministry for 2 years before I had to pass it on to another lovely and capable woman. The cancer came back, the battle began again. This is where I am today as I restart my blog.
Christian Beliefs: This is my church and the beliefs of my denomination, which is Northern baptist. http://bernalchurch.org/about/beliefs.
My personal experience of God which I lean on the most is that God is love; he is light and there is no darkness in him; he works his character in those who believe and follow him when they receive the Holy Spirit and abide in Him. The Holy Spirit comes when you put your faith in Jesus as payment for your sins, through his death and resurrection. He is a forgiving God, full of mercy and grace, faithful to remove every sin as far as the East from the West and remember it no more. In his mercy and because of our faith in him, we are new creations.
Philosophy and Politics: I just want to take a moment to write on topics which might be valuable to non-christians. One of the most potent movements in our country is politics. It is in many ways, how we define ourselves and others. I am an independent voter, unaffiliated with either party. I find value in some of the issues near and dear to both parties. One of the values I hold is the ability to respectfully discuss opposing ideas. Talking and listening is the only way to gain understanding. It is important to allow each person the dignity and respect to hold views I may not share, whether that is political or religious. Holding different views makes sense since we each have our own lives and perspectives we are drawing our experiences from. We are a diverse nation of people and experiences. My interests, however, lie much more in the individual and spiritual spheres than any national agenda. I am far more concerned with personally growing in love towards Jesus and other people – all people. Love does not mean we have to be alike or think alike – love means caring about your well-being, praying blessing, being gentle, and forgiving – and asking for forgiveness. Believe me, I am not perfect at any of that, but it is where my values lay. So, that’s me! If you read this far, thanks for your “ear”. I hope to hear from you!
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